After seven years as head coach and athletic director at Lone Grove High School, Kenny Ridley resigned from his duties last week.

Ridley stepped away from the Longhorns program for a position with Halliburton Energy in Duncan. Lone Grove High School Principal Chris Sudderth said that that school is in the beginning stages of finding Ridley's replacement.

Sudderth said Tuesday that the adminstration was undecided on whether or not the new hire will serve as both the head football coach and athletic director.

"That's an option we're looking at on a case-to-case basis," Sudderth said. "We'll make sure we find a football coach first and foremost. It's the first of July and football is approaching, so right now our focus is on finding a football coach, and then an AD.

"We hate to see Kenny leave, but we're excited for the new career opportunity that he has. We really appreciate his dedication to the kids of Lone Grove."

Ridley arrived at Lone Grove from Marlow as an assistant in 2001 and became the head football coach/athletic director in 2006. Ridley was also AD during significant upgrades to the softball and baseball facilities and the opening of Lone Grove's multi-purpose Gary Scott Center.

The Longhorns went 27-46 in seven seasons with Ridley as head coach. In his time with Lone Grove as either an assistant or head coach, the Longhorns qualified for the postseason in football seven times.

"One thing I was really proud of is I've been able to coach on seven of the 12 playoff appearances in school history," Ridley said. "All of our facilities have been upgraded and it's been nice to see the progressive change in our school."

Ridley said he spoke with his football group about the change on Monday, the first day of Lone Grove's Summer Pride program. He said what he'll miss most is "the quality of people I've been able to surround myself with at Lone Grove and the relationships with the kids."

"I've been really proud of what we've done," Ridley said. "I'm really appreciative of Mr. (Gary) Scott for bringing me to Lone Grove in the first place."